Dennis James Hodkinson, also referred to as Denny, Charlie and Hodge, was born on August 7, 1955, in Fort Sill, Okla., to Gerald and Shirley Hodkinson. He passed away suddenly on May 31, 2025, in Cleveland, Tenn.
Denny grew up in Preston, Minn., and attended Preston High School. He graduated from Zumbrota High School, Class of 1973. Following graduation, he worked in the family bakery with his father. In 1976 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was stationed in Norfolk, Va., Okinawa, Japan, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Duluth, Minn., Pearl City, Oahu, Hawaii, and Phoenix, Ariz. As a Marine, he would say he was “born” at Camp Pendleton, where he did his basic training. He retired from the USMC in 1996 as Gunnery Sergeant E-7 Dennis J. Hodkinson, serving a total of “20 years, one month, 17 days” in Communications. After his military service he worked in IT before owning and operating Homeland Home Inspectors for the past 23 years.
While stationed in what he nicknamed “Twentynine Stumps,” Denny met the love of his life, Patricia Ann Tamburri, who was also a United States Marine. They married on July 12, 1986, and welcomed two children to their family, daughter Heather Ann and son Christopher James.
Denny was a computer whiz, avid family genealogy researcher, Bingo enthusiast, game show follower, and a political activist. He loved to tinker around their country retirement home where he enjoyed raising ducks and taking care of their pond. Denny was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He had an innate ability to make anyone around him laugh and was the “life of the party.”
Dennis is survived by his wife Pat, daughter Heather (and Shawn) Stoyle, son Christopher (and Mercy) Hodkinson, grandchildren Evan James and Genevieve Layla; six siblings: Vikki (and Tim) Stankey, Tom (and Dorle) Kaase, Traci Kaase, Heidi (and Brent) Ronning, Jamie (and Marci) Kaase and Joe (and Angi) Kaase, stepsiblings Marie McLay (and Todd) Severson, Jerry (and Lisa) McLay, and Robin McLay; special uncle Don (and Becky) Hodkinson, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father Jerry and stepmother Barb, mother Shirley and stepfather Stan Kaase, and brother George Hodkinson.
A memorial service and celebration of Denny’s life will be held at Christ Lutheran Church in Preston Minn., at 11 a.m. on Saturday June 28, 2025, with visitation from 10-11 a.m. Lunch and fellowship will follow at the Preston Servicemen’s Club.
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